The process sector is a key driver of Singapore’s economy. This sector includes operations such as refining, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
The process sector includes plants involved in petroleum, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, which require specialized equipment and niche skills for construction and maintenance.
Due to its specialized nature, the sector relies on skilled foreign workers to fill key roles.
If you are an employer in the process sector in Singapore, you need to know the rules for hiring foreign workers.
To employ migrant workers in the process sector, you need to meet specific requirements for business activity, worker source countries, quotas, and safety courses.
A business providing PCM services must be a corporate member of the Association of the Process Industry (ASPRI) and get endorsed as a PCM contractor to recruit foreign PCM workers. These rules ensure foreign workers are employed fairly and safely.
Knowing these requirements is key to smooth operations and legal compliance. It helps you avoid problems and maximize the global talent available to Singapore’s process sector.
Key Points
You need to meet specific business and quota requirements including quota and safety courses to hire foreign workers
Foreign workers need to complete certain safety courses before starting work
Work permit applications can be done online and have specific eligibility criteria
You can hire foreign workers in Singapore’s process sector if your business falls under these categories. The Ministry of Manpower lists the eligible activities.
These include:
Petrochemicals manufacturing
Pharmaceutical production
Specialty chemicals creation
Biotech research and development
Industrial gases production
These involve process construction which requires specialized construction and maintenance work for production units in the process sector. Such tasks require niche skills and expertise is crucial for contractors who work with plant owners and engineering firms.
Your company must be involved in the actual manufacturing or production processes. Support services like maintenance or logistics are not included.
To qualify, your business must focus on transforming raw materials into finished products. This often involves complex chemical reactions or biological processes.
Remember, your main activity must fall under these categories. If unsure, check with the Ministry of Manpower.
Meeting these requirements is just the first step. You will also need to follow other rules on worker quotas and safety training.
Employers must meet specific requirements to employ foreign workers in Singapore’s process sector. These criteria ensure businesses are legitimate, comply with quota and levy rules, and have good compliance records.
The worker’s source country affects compliance including business activity, quotas, and safety courses required for the work permit.
Your company must be registered and active in Singapore to hire foreign workers. You also need a valid Unique Entity Number (UEN) from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
Your business must be in the process sector which includes industries like petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals.
For businesses like process plant owners, providing PCM services, it is mandatory to be endorsed by the Association of the Process Industry (ASPRI) before they can hire foreign PCM workers. This ensures only qualified contractors can hire international labour in the PCM sector.
You also need to show that you have a genuine need for foreign workers. This means you need to prove you cannot find local workers to fill the positions.
Your company must comply with the foreign worker quota set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
This includes the process sector quota, a regulatory framework that allows employers to hire a certain number of Work Permit holders based on the number of full-time local employees they have.
The quota limits the number of foreign workers you can employ based on your total workforce.
The country or region quota also affects hiring by specifying requirements related to the worker’s source country or region, ensuring compliance with broader criteria such as business activity and safety courses.
You need to pay a monthly levy for each Work Permit holder. The levy amount varies depending on the worker’s skill level and your company’s local to foreign worker ratio.
Make sure you stay within your quota and pay levies on time. Failure to do so will result in penalties and affect your ability to hire foreign workers in the future.
Your company’s track record matters when applying for Work Permits. MOM will review your past compliance with employment laws and regulations.
Note that PRC Work Permit holders in the process sector can take up specific job roles and the minimum Period of Employment requirement has been removed.
You must have a good record of:
Paying salaries on time
Providing safe working conditions
Following Work Permit conditions
If you have had violations in the past, it may affect your ability to hire foreign workers. Serious breaches can lead to being banned from hiring Work Permit holders.
MOM also checks if you have cancelled Work Permits responsibly in the past. This includes giving proper notice and ensuring workers return home safely.
Employers in the process sector in Singapore must get their foreign workers to complete specific safety courses. These courses are critical to maintaining workplace safety standards.
The Construction Safety Orientation Course (CSOC) is mandatory training for workers involved in the construction of process plants which highlights its importance in site safety.
This course covers safety practices and procedures specific to the process industry. Workers will learn about potential hazards and how to prevent accidents.
Additionally, the construction safety orientation course is required along with other safety courses, emphasizing its compulsory nature.
Safety courses are required for all Work Permit holders in the process sector. You must send your workers for these courses before they start work.
Register your workers for the CSOC as soon as they arrive in Singapore. The course takes one day to complete.
Don’t forget your workers can’t start work until they have completed the required safety course. Plan ahead to avoid delays in your operations.
Getting your workers to complete these courses not only keeps them safe but also helps you comply with Singapore’s workplace safety regulations.
Employers must follow these steps to get work permits for foreign workers in the process sector in Singapore. The process involves online submission and document preparation followed by permit issuance procedures.
Before they can hire foreign PCM workers, businesses providing PCM services must have corporate membership with the Association of the Process Industry (ASPRI) and get endorsement as a PCM contractor.
They must be on the PCM Controlled List to ensure compliance.
Firstly, employers need to apply for a Work Permit through MOM’s online system. If you don’t have an account, you need to create one. Prepare the worker’s personal details, passport information, and qualifications.
Also ensure region quota and safety requirements, which include country or region of origin, workforce limits, and mandatory safety training are met.
Next, submit the application and pay the relevant fees. Processing time varies but is usually fast for straightforward cases. Non-Malaysian workers must not enter Singapore during this period.
Buy security bond and medical insurance for your worker. These are required for the application.
After approval, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. This letter allows your worker to enter Singapore. Once they arrive, schedule a medical examination at an approved clinic.
Workers employed in the process sector must undergo specific safety training such as the Workplace Safety and Health in Process Plant (OPSOC) and Construction Safety Orientation Course.
Collect the worker’s passport, IPA letter, and medical results. Submit these documents to MOM for work permit issuance. Workers can start work after getting the permit card.
Keep track of the permit’s validity period. Renew before it expires to ensure continuous legal employment. Always stay updated on any changes in regulations to maintain compliance.
Renewing work permits for foreign workers in the process sector in Singapore is important. You can renew online through Work Permit Online system. Start the renewal process 6 to 8 weeks before the permit expires.
Foreign workers in the PCM sector can only perform activities related to construction, preventive, and breakdown maintenance of plant equipment. They are not allowed to do plant operations or peripheral services.
Before renewing:
Update the worker’s residential address and mobile number
Check if the worker meets all renewal requirements
Prepare necessary documents for upload
The renewal process is easy:
Log in to WP Online
Submit application
Upload required documents
Pay renewal fee
You must cancel the work permit if the worker stops working for you or leaves Singapore. Do this within a week after their last day of work.
Use WP Online
Pay all salary and benefits
Provide return ticket to worker’s home country
Cancel worker’s medical insurance and security bond
Inform your worker about the cancellation. They must leave Singapore within 7 days of permit cancellation unless they find new employment.
As a process sector employer in Singapore, you must follow strict rules for foreign workers. Employers and Work Permit holders must comply with all Work Permit conditions.
Foreign workers can only do construction, preventive and breakdown maintenance of plant equipment. They are not allowed to do plant operations which includes operating plant equipment. They are limited to maintenance roles and cannot do plant operations.
You can only employ workers with valid Work Permit. You must pay them the fixed monthly salary you declared to MOM. Failure to do so will result in severe penalties.
The government will conduct regular checks. Be prepared for a surprise inspection of your workplace and worker housing. Keep all documents updated and easily accessible.
Enforcement has gotten stricter. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Stay updated on the latest regulations to avoid costly mistakes.
For the process sector, there are additional safety requirements. Your foreign workers must complete specific safety courses before they start work.
Different source countries have different rules. For example, workers from some countries may need extra qualifications or training. Check the requirements for your worker’s home country.
Securing work permits for foreign workers in the process sector in Singapore requires attention to detail.
As an employer, you must meet several conditions. Each construction worker must have the required certifications and training to industry standards.
Only hire from approved source countries. Check the age limit too - worker must be at least 18 years old when applying.
Be mindful of quota limits. Don’t exceed the maximum number of foreign workers for your company size.
Make sure workers complete all required safety courses for their safety and legal compliance.
Pay declared fixed monthly salary on time.
Follow Work Permit conditions set by MOM.